Jeff Bingaman United States Senator from New Mexico

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today reported that an energy bill he authored has cleared its first hurdle. 

After 12 weeks of consideration, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee today approved the American Clean Energy Leadership Act – a bipartisan bill that advances clean-energy policies first enacted in 2005 and 2007 laws. 

“Getting America running on clean energy is our goal.  This bill will help shift our country to cleaner sources of energy, and more secure sources as well.  The bipartisan, substantive and forward-looking approaches to energy found in this bill will move America toward the clean jobs and economic growth we need,” Bingaman said. 

A brief summary of the bill follows.  Here is a more complete summary.

• Accelerate the introduction of new clean energy technologies in the United States, creating new jobs and helping businesses grow through clean energy project financing, a renewable electricity standard and a robust and secure national electricity transmission highway;

• Increase energy efficiency in buildings, major equipment and appliances, saving consumers and businesses billions of dollars on their energy bills;

• Enhance America’s energy independence by increasing clean energy supplies and energy security, including new access to over 20 trillion cubic feet of clean natural gas resources;

• Strengthen America as the world leader in energy innovation, by doubling our national investment in energy research and technology;

• Build a new energy workforce for the future;

• Protect consumers by making energy markets more transparent and fair, and by providing new tools to fight market manipulation; and

• Tackle future energy and climate challenges with smarter, more integrated planning.

The bill is ready for full Senate debate; Majority Leader Harry Reid has not yet scheduled time on the floor.